I have 6 or 7 colleges I’m considering, but I’m hoping to narrow that down a little before I actually apply. The hardest two I’m considering are probably Columbia and UChicago.
4.0 (Weighted GPA between 4.2 and 4.5 depending on how you weight different types of classes)
34 ACT (though I just took it again so that could change)
I'm above the expected National Merit Cutoff for my state (but there's no knowing for sure until September)
I have a part time job
I'm doing a study abroad/service trip this summer
I do a decent number of sports and clubs, though I'm not varsity, and I don't hold any official leadership positions (But I applied for a few, fingers crossed!)
I volunteer a few hours a week
I know I'm lacking in leadership, but other than trying to get a few leadership positions on my transcript, there isn't really a ton I can do there. Obviously if I want to get into exclusive schools, I'll have to have good essays and letters of recommendations, keep my GPA up, and look for any other opportunities for volunteering and leadership, but can anyone think of anything else I can do to better my chances? Is there anyone who applied to these schools who can offer tips?
What do you want to study? Sometimes it helps to show an interest in that area. How much can your parents afford? Those are also going to be factors in picking schools.
Right now I’m more focused on getting in. I have my safety schools that I can afford picked out, and nothing I do now will change my financial aid status, other than merit aid, which Columbia doesn’t offer, and UChicago doesn’t offer a lot of. I’ll do everything I can for scholarships, but I don’t think there’s going to be a ton I can change, since the biggest factor for me is gonna be my parent’s income. I’m leaning toward Political Science, Global Studies, or International Law.
The ECs alone aren’t an issue, but you want to connect them in a meaningful and unique way to the schools on your list. Is there a professor who is an expert on the country you are visiting and its problems that are the focus of your service trip? That’s just an example, but hope you see what I mean. Look through the online departmental sites for each school to see the issues/research being pursued. What can you add to that effort?
All you can do is apply and take your chances like most everyone else. Be sure to spend the time you need to write strong essays/supplements etc. If you are looking for merit aid you may want to add in some private schools where your stats put you in the top 75% or so of their student body.